Yesterday, I wrote that four people had been killed during the riots at the Capitol. One person was shot inside the Capitol and three others died outside from unspecified “medical emergencies.” But last night a fifth person died from injuries sustained during the riot. Capitol Hill Police Officer Brian Sicknick walked away from the conflict Wednesday but then collapsed:
Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters. He returned to his division office and collapsed. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The death of Officer Sicknick will be investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, the USCP, and our federal partners.
That’s all the detail given in the official police statement but the NY Times reports Sicknick was hit with a fire extinguisher:
The circumstances surrounding Mr. Sicknick’s death were not immediately clear, and the Capitol Police said only that he had “passed away due to injuries sustained while on duty.” At some point in the chaos — with the mob rampaging through the halls of Congress while lawmakers were forced to hide under their desks — he was struck with a fire extinguisher, according to two law enforcement officials…
It was unclear where Mr. Sicknick’s encounter with the rioters took place, but photos and a video posted by a local reporter during the night of chaos showed a man spraying a fire extinguisher outside the Senate chamber, with a small number of police officers overlooking the area on a nearby stairway.
Here’s the video they are referring to:
Trump protesters just discharged a fire extinguisher outside Senate chamber. Many protesters are inside building, and most people are hiding from them pic.twitter.com/0y2sk8LHWd
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 6, 2021
In addition to a homicide investigation by the Metropolitan PD, CNN reports federal murder charges are being considered:
Prosecutors in the US Attorney’s office plan to open a federal murder investigation into the death of Brian D. Sicknick, a US Capitol Police officer who died Thursday night, a law enforcement official tells CNN.
Last night, hundreds of Sicknick’s fellow police officers lined the road in front of the Capitol to pay their respects.
Stunning >> MULTITUDE of officers line the front of the Capitol in silence, honoring fallen US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick… Rest In Peace#breaking @WUSA9 @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/swKVbSKcQe
— Mike Valerio (@MikevWUSA) January 8, 2021
A police motorcade escorts United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick Thursday night on Constitution Ave NW & 15th St NW. pic.twitter.com/5kLJI5F8RF
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) January 8, 2021
Scene near Capitol tonight, where police gathered to honor officer Brian Sicknick, who died today
Sicknick was reportedly bludgeoned with fire extinguisher during pro-Trump riot on Wednesday https://t.co/mlrfZ3WnVL
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) January 8, 2021
Both Nancy Pelosi and the White House issued statements about Sicknick’s death. Flags at the Capitol were lowered to half-staff to honor his loss.
Capitol flags lowered to honor officer Brian Sicknick, cop killed in DC riots https://t.co/HF9Cn2uqp3 pic.twitter.com/rKfucGwva5
— New York Post (@nypost) January 8, 2021
The DOJ also issued a statement saying the FBI will participate in the investigation with the MPD. Someone is going to prison for a long time if investigators can determine who was responsible.